Beyond 90 Minuteshttp://b90m.com
Football Articles, News, and PodcastsSun, 12 Aug 2018 13:22:24 +0000en-GBhourly1https://wordpress.org/?v=4.9.8Premier League Week 1 Predictionshttp://b90m.com/features/betting-tips/premier-league-week-1-predictions
http://b90m.com/features/betting-tips/premier-league-week-1-predictions#respondThu, 09 Aug 2018 19:49:32 +0000http://b90m.com/?p=10532Manchester United vs Leicester (1-1)LONDON, ENGLAND – AUGUST 07: Jamie Vardy of Leicester City takes the ball around David De Gea of Manchester United to score his sides first goal during The FA Community Shield match between Leicester City and Manchester United at Wembley Stadium on August 7, 2016 in London, England. (Photo by Michael Steele/Getty Images)

Two teams with managers with similar philosophies will meet in this fixture. Expect a dour start to the league season. A drab scoring low scoring draw should be the expected result.

Newcastle vs Tottenham (1-2)

With the core of the Spurs team making a deep run in the recently concluded World Cup, most of their key players should be out for this fixture. Newcastle will seek to take advantage of this reality. As shown in their pre-season games, Spurs should be sharp enough to avoid an upset, especially against a Newcastle side that hasn’t refreshed their squad much. The North London side should leave with all three points.

Bournemouth vs Cardiff (2-0)

Most are expecting Cardiff to go down faster than they came up. Bournemouth are a steady squad that should finish close to mid-table – if not there. The hosts should run out comfortable winners.

Fulham vs Crystal Palace (2-0)

Fulham are back in the top flight and seem here to stay a while yet. The highly regarded manager Slaviša Jokanović has done well to maintain his top players, including teenage sensation Ryan Sessegnon. They have also bolstered their squad with the acquisition of German international Andre Schurrle. They should start their return with a comfortable win over London rival Crystal Palace who will hope to have Wilfried Zaha on their books going into this clash.

Huddersfield vs Chelsea (0-1)

After being handily managed in their Community Shield clash against Manchester City, it is clear to see that ‘Sarri Ball’ will take a while to grow on the Chelsea squad. Although being one of the bookies favourites to go down, expect Huddersfield to give a Chelsea team in transition a tough battle.

]]>http://b90m.com/features/betting-tips/premier-league-week-1-predictions/feed0World Cup Watch – Dier Straitshttp://b90m.com/tournaments/world-cup/world-cup-watch-dier-straits
http://b90m.com/tournaments/world-cup/world-cup-watch-dier-straits#respondThu, 05 Jul 2018 22:18:31 +0000http://b90m.com/?p=10344It was no secret England would go into the World Cup playing a back three. During the turn of the year friendlies, Kyle Walker emerged as the prime candidate for the right centre back role. Despite being better at right back than Kieran Trippier, manager Gareth Southgate saw it fit to utilise the Spurs man out wide because of his superior crosses and set piece deliveries. Given that Trippier is slower, Walker’s speed to cover the space on the right side of defence was seen as an asset. Plus, his ball playing ability was a much-needed bonus.

Recently, Arsene Wenger came out blasting Walker as a defensive liability in that role, going as far as to say he’s not a “real defender”. Wenger also cited that the things he could get away with as a full back, due to him being higher up the pitch and his great recovery speed, he couldn’t as a centre back. He also highlighted that Eric Dier is a superior defender for that slot and the Walker experiment will come back to bite England. Truth be told, so far the former Gunners gaffer seems to be spot on. Walker gave away a penalty against Tunisia and has been caught on the ball several times and has been lucky not to have been punished, especially against Colombia.

MOSCOW, RUSSIA – JULY 3: England’s midfielder Eric Dier (L) vies with Colombia’s forward Falcao during the Russia 2018 World Cup round of 16 football match between Colombia and England at the Spartak Stadium in Moscow on July 3, 2018. (Photo by Juan Mabromata / AFP)

Earlier this year, Dier was supposedly shoehorned for that role. Southgate, like Spurs manager Mauricio Pochettino, sees him as a better defender than midfielder, but the player prefers the midfield role. Coming into the tournament, Southgate reiterated the fact he would play a more progressive brand of football, so it became evident that it would be Dier or Henderson for the deep midfield role and not both. Coming out of the Colombia game, Walker, Dele Alli and Harry Kane all suffered knocks. Of the three, only Kane soldiered on and Walker was replaced by Rashford. With Dier already subbed on, he went into the right centre back role in Walker’s place. It remains to be seen if Southgate will make yet another tough decision and choose to drop Walker if he’s fit for the supposedly safer option of Dier. The Spurs man has played in a back three several times this season for his club and has been consistently good throughout. Against a Sweden team who will seek to disrupt their flow and catch them on the break, England could be best served with a defender of Dier’s all-round quality who may not be as fast as Walker but should be steadier in that role.

VOLGOGRAD, RUSSIA – JUNE 18: Gareth Southgate head coach / manager of England substitutes Dele Alli of England for Ruben Loftus-Cheek during the 2018 FIFA World Cup Russia group G match between Tunisia and England at Volgograd Arena on June 18, 2018 in Volgograd, Russia. (Photo by Robbie Jay Barratt – AMA/Getty Images)

On a another note, against Sweden, it may not be the best option to have both Alli and Jesse Lingard as starters given their similar styles. Southgate will need a midfielder who will be able to drive at Sweden’s compact midfield or unlock them with incisive passing to Kane or Raheem Sterling up front. It needs to be pointed out that all six of captain Kane’s goals have come from dead ball situations with open play service being near non-existent. These aforementioned two are better at making late runs into the box or shooting from outside it. Ruben Loftus-Cheek should be the prime candidate for this role. He also matches up physically with the Swedes and with this extra dimension, would give them something different to think about.

]]>http://b90m.com/tournaments/world-cup/world-cup-watch-dier-straits/feed0World Cup Watch – On-Don by the Devil you knowhttp://b90m.com/tournaments/world-cup/world-cup-watch-on-don-by-the-devil-you-know
http://b90m.com/tournaments/world-cup/world-cup-watch-on-don-by-the-devil-you-know#respondMon, 02 Jul 2018 22:33:17 +0000http://b90m.com/?p=10327To say Belgium v Japan was a thriller is an understatement. The Red Devils took a hold on the tie after an even start half an hour into the second round encounter with the Samurai Blue. The Japanese, instead, settled and stuck true to their game plan of targeting the defensively weak wing backs of Belgium. Nullifying the main men and peppering the wings to great effect, we had an upset on our hands. But…

Isn’t it naïve?

The weaknesses in a talented Belgian lineup were evident from the very first match in this World Cup so the double strikes in Rostov-on-Don came as little surprise to a keen observer. Still, Mousa Dembele is a necessity going forward. Why? The issue is multifaceted.

Belgium line up in a 3-4-2-1 formation with an inverted winger in Yannick Carrasco and a slow, but hardworking, Thomas Meunier patrolling both wing back positions. Neither cover themselves in glory defensively as much as their endeavour to go forward is noticeable. How much quality is there, though? One must feel as if Carrasco on the ball detracts from the fluency and effect of many an attack once it gets to the final third. You’d much rather Kevin de Bruyne or Eden Hazard over a final pass than Carrasco. His effort is obvious, but too often has the quality and decision been lacking.

The holes created whenever either man attacks is criminal. This compounds the vulnerability of an experienced and classy, but slow, back three. Neither the oft-injured Vincent Kompany nor Jan Vertonghen are spring chickens, and when asked to cover the vast spaces left by Meunier or Carrasco, the defense is too easily pulled apart. Surprisingly, the Japanese opted to focus on Meunier rather than Carrasco, and inasmuch as Meunier is a liability against pace and shifts of direction, Carrasco is non-existent in defense. Neymar and company must be licking their lips at the prospect of running at this Belgian team.

Waste

To be blessed with De Bruyne, Dembele and Hazard, and not be able to accommodate all three must be a crime. We should add that to the all legislation. Make no mistake, Dembele is a gem in midfield. His inclusion immediately gives De Bruyne more license to roam free. It’s a travesty when France do it to Paul Pogba. It’s a calamity when it is done to De Bruyne. One would think it easy to aim for replicating the fluidity of the Manchester City midfield where David Silva controls the tempo and allows the gifted crosser and final passer to do what he is most gifted at.

De Bruyne knocks it around, less burdened by the responsibilities of a typical deep lying playmaker, for that he is not, and pops up between the lines of central and attacking midfield. There are few more dangerous in full flight because he is so versatile, so all round. Belgium would much better be served by crosses from the feet of the ginger haired De Bruyne than Carrasco. It’s a simple shift.

It’s maybe too obvious to see.

Belgium still have concerns in a back four as they’ve inexplicably only Vertonghen to play the left back role. Give Martinez credit though because…

The changeup was smart

Japan, for all their tenacity, organisation, and guile, aren’t vertically blessed. Insight with a touch of hindsight proved the introduction of a proven clutch header in Marouane Fellaini and an improvement (anybody really) to Carrasco in Nacer Chaldi to be the two strokes of class from the former Everton manager. The calm in which they mounted the comeback amidst off colour performances from their big four, regardless of what stats may say, augurs well for the pretenders to the throne. Get past Brazil and it is there for the taking. It’s all there.

For Hazard, Dries Mertens, Lukaku and De Bruyne to have muted outings and still be on the winning end is a warning to all and sundry. However, this outcome proves again that you can scarcely take teams at face value in a knockout, and especially in Russia, 2018. Japan allowed the lesser threats to have the ball in potentially dangerous areas by sticking to De Bruyne and Hazard like white on their beloved rice. The winning goal, though, was a beauty to behold as Thibaut Courtois released it to his best mate, De Bruyne, who then unleashed a venomous counterattack that was assisted by Meunier, made by double Red Devil Lukaku with an intelligent dummy and finished off by the man whose spot Carrasco had occupied in Chadli.

So much to ponder for Mr. Martinez. So much to work with. Use it.

]]>http://b90m.com/tournaments/world-cup/world-cup-watch-on-don-by-the-devil-you-know/feed0World Cup Watch – A Mother’s Embracehttp://b90m.com/tournaments/world-cup/featured-teams/world-cup-watch-a-mothers-embrace
http://b90m.com/tournaments/world-cup/featured-teams/world-cup-watch-a-mothers-embrace#respondMon, 02 Jul 2018 02:00:35 +0000http://b90m.com/?p=10314There are few things that offer you comfort and warmth like a mother’s embrace. It gives you reassurance that everything will be alright and no matter what others say, you feel safe and calm regardless of the pressures that life brings.

Mother Russia embraced a philosophy. A philosophy that is as simple aesthetically as it is complex in its execution; with concentration and sacrifice required to eke out the necessary result. But her sons felt comfortable in that embrace. They felt no real danger. And it is because of this why the hosts of an increasingly entertaining yet unpredictable World Cup are in the quarterfinals. Against Spain, no less!

No Words

MOSCOW, RUSSIA – JULY 01: Andres Iniesta of Spain challenges Mario Fernandes of Russia during the 2018 FIFA World Cup Russia Round of 16 match between Spain and Russia at Luzhniki Stadium on July 1, 2018 in Moscow, Russia. (Photo by Allsport Co./Getty Images)

Russia’s greatest footballing achievement in international football really doesn’t need any great summation. They possessed the ball a whopping 26% of the time, with Spain completing more than five times as many passes. Before a ball was kicked, you knew exactly what Russia’s game plan would be without the need for analysis. They were going to put 10 behind the ball, keep their shape, expose the 2010 world champions’ lack of width and hope to get a golden chance or two to make their leaky defence pay.

That’s kind of what happened. Truth be told, Spain did nothing to break down Russia’s staunch rearguard until extra time. Lots of sideways passes, no one other than Isco trying to open up lanes for his forward line to exploit, no penetration from deep-lying positions, nothing. Russia didn’t even seem too exhausted by the time the penalty shootout came around. The game was played into their hands, partially due to their dedication and hard work, but also because of Spain’s lack of ideas and ingenuity. Golovin’s lung-busting effort on both sides of the ball, Sergei Ignashevich bouncing back from an unfortunate own goal and everyone’s favourite goalkeeper in Football Manager, Igor Akinfeev, putting forth one of his best international performances were notable markers of their strong work behind the halfway line.

However, in spite of the communication needed for this defence to stay so disciplined throughout, it was a man of few words that was Russia’s standout player. Brazilian-born CSKA Moscow right back, Mario Fernandes, has lived in Russia since 2012, yet only knows how to say ‘thank you’ and ‘you’re welcome’ in his adopted tongue. The world has certainly been getting a taste of just how talented the 27-year-old is with his smart overlapping runs and game-reading abilities making him a strong contender to make the team of the tournament. His work in this game was admirable and may win him a few eyeballs from scouts at bigger European clubs.

Soldiering On

Russia is quite restricted in terms of what the can offer going forward. Yet they have netted nine times in four games, so something must be working.

Aside from Denis Cheryshev – who surprisingly didn’t start this game – the hosts have little-resembling versatility or agility in their forward line. Arsenal (Tula not London) striker, Artem Dzyuba, personifies this to a tee. His soldier’s salute after each of his three goals this campaign is fitting given the fact he goes to war everytime he steps on the field. The former Zenit St. Petersburg frontman is a battering ram who uses his obvious physical traits to win long balls, lay those balls off to supporting runners with his head or chest and makes himself a nuisance in the penalty box. He gave Pique and Ramos fits in the air when he could and was key in winning the spot-kick he would convert at the end of the first half.

Russia’s strikers over the years have been more about spells than consistency like Pavlyuchenko and Salenko before him. They will need the good bits of the 29-year-old Dzyuba to shine through if this fairytale is to continue.

Icing on the Cake

MOSCOW, RUSSIA – JULY 01: Igor Akinfeev of Russia saves the fifth penalty from Iago Aspas of Spain in the penalty shoot out during the 2018 FIFA World Cup Russia Round of 16 match between Spain and Russia at Luzhniki Stadium on July 1, 2018 in Moscow, Russia. (Photo by Joosep Martinson – FIFA/FIFA via Getty Images)

Let’s face it. Anything on top of this achievement for Russia is a bonus. Many were expecting this team’s journey to begin and end in the first round, let alone lose to Spain. Now that they’re here, and backed by vociferous home support, they might as well make the best of it. Especially when you consider they’re on the far more palatable side of the bracket.

Next up is Croatia, who needed Danijel Subašić‘s heroics to pull them out of the fire against a stubborn Denmark side. Of course, you’d still favour the Croats. But if Russia can devise another defensive masterclass while muzzling Modrić and Rakitić like the Danes did for the most part on Sunday, they have a chance. Unlike Spain though, expect Croatia to be more direct. Stanislav Cherchesov‘s side will need to make their counterattack count and get Golovin up the pitch in dangerous positions as often as they can during their limited spells with the ball.

After battering the Saudis and Egyptians with aplomb, Mother Russia has embraced a much more rugged style that’s got them to unchartered territory. Just maybe, if they keep this up, there will be a lot more hugs coming for her children on Saturday.

]]>http://b90m.com/tournaments/world-cup/featured-teams/world-cup-watch-a-mothers-embrace/feed0World Cup Watch – Unmarked Redhttp://b90m.com/tournaments/world-cup/world-cup-watch-unmarked-red
http://b90m.com/tournaments/world-cup/world-cup-watch-unmarked-red#respondFri, 29 Jun 2018 16:45:45 +0000http://b90m.com/?p=10245Argentina have qualified for the second round by the skin of their teeth. In the end, Croatia dominated a group many expected to go the way of the South Americans. Events in other groups, however, give Lionel Messi and friends cause to be optimistic about their further progress.

Argentina has an opening to the semi-final

Before the start of the tournament, we’d think that most would not have wanted to face France early on, but Didier Deschamps’ men haven’t exactly set the stage alight. Unspectacular, slow in possession, and flat out boring are what you’d most likely describe their group stage as, and Argentina have no reason to think they cannot be picked off.

Paul Pogba, the biggest talent in midfield, is playing as Pogba does. Enigmatic and a man of moments, do not expect him to dominate a quality team with possession. He simply does not do that. In N’Golo Kante, the French have one of the premier defensive midfielders in the game. He, though, keeps it ticking after winning the ball back with the right, if often simple, pass and the onus is on the others to provide forward impetus more often than not.

Another possible starter, Blaise Matuidi, is never going to help that situation much. Let’s hope for Corentin Tolisso. France are essentially a team of moments. Those moments come from Pogba, Kylian Mbappe, and Ousmane Dembele. All prolific dribblers, it will be interesting to see how the combative and fractious Argentines keep away from the referees’ books.

If they get past France, it would be one of Uruguay and…Portugal in the quarter finals, the round they should have marked as par before the first ball was kicked.

Who’s running the show?

It most definitely is not Jorge Sampaoli. At least, not solely. After disgracing football managers worldwide, it’s perfectly understandable. The Argentine lineup against Nigeria was much improved, and much of that improvement was down to Ever Banega being handed his first start of the competition.

The difference a forward passer made to the effectiveness of the passing was eye opening. Sideways, lacking ideas, static, and slow were how you’d characterise the opening two matches of their round, and they were duly punished by a far superior Croatian midfield. Superior midfield play should be a major factor at this World Cup. Instead of static, static, static, then unimaginative passing, Banega pushed the envelope, releasing some of the stress from Messi that he buckles under ever so often. Argentina are a better squad than being made out to be, and their best eleven isn’t half bad. A squad does not a team make, though.

Still, the selections of Gonzalo Higuain, Angel di Maria and eventually Maximiliano Meza were grating to see. All gave their expected workmanlike, mediocre performances in a white and blue jersey that are not enough for a team with the calibre and story of Argentina. Get Paolo Dybala (right…) and Sergio Aguero out there.

Marcos Rojo to the rescue

If Messi and Argentina are to progress further, then the others have to help. The movement in midfield and attacking positions has to be better. The energy has to be better. They need to utilise the half-space more cleverly. The selections need to make sense. Messi, himself, has to take responsibility as a leader of this team. He’s a leader solely because he’s the best player, and in that he has the task of doing all he can to ensure Argentina acquit themselves well in Russia.

It simply is not enough to be the best player. To justifiably be mentioned in the rarefied air occupied by Pele and Diego Maradona, he has to show his mental toughness in an Argentinian shirt on the biggest stage. Maybe the chances at a World Cup title are gone. Maybe the Copa America letdowns were another massive missed opportunity. Overachieve at this tournament and potentially dispatch a battling Portugal, and the rhetoric would shift to the little Barcelona star.

In that sense, an Argentina-Portugal tie would be the most anticipated if it ever materialised.

To the defender with the winning contribution? “Well done,” is all that should be said to Mark Red, the unmarked red. That was the definition of clutch.

]]>http://b90m.com/tournaments/world-cup/world-cup-watch-unmarked-red/feed0World Cup Watch – Credential Testhttp://b90m.com/tournaments/world-cup/world-cup-watch-credential-test
http://b90m.com/tournaments/world-cup/world-cup-watch-credential-test#respondThu, 28 Jun 2018 15:52:19 +0000http://b90m.com/?p=10267When the FIFA World Cup draw was made in mid-December, one of the standout fixtures was Belgium vs England. Given that they would each meet for the last match of the round, the prediction was that both should have already qualified; this has played to form. Both teams will meet tied on points and goals for an against. However, England tops the group based on the Fair Play tiebreaker, having amassed a card less. Both teams are likely to rest some of their top players as they eye a deep run in the tournament. But this may not be the “glorified friendly” as its shaping up to be, given that their credentials are at stake, and the whole world is watching.

Blessing in Disguise?

It is projected in some quarters that finishing second in the group could be a blessing in disguise, as that team would have an easier run to the semis. However, neither of these teams would want to lose to the other. Besides, to be the best you have to beat the best. Romelu Lukaku (unlikely to play) and Harry Kane are also in a Golden Boot race, and one would not want the other to get away with a lead. The core of both teams is built from Premier league top clubs Manchester, United, Manchester City, Tottenham Hotspur, Chelsea and Liverpool. Given this reality, there is hardly any secret about the other. Heck, even their go to formation is a back three.

Given that their first two opponents were ones that they were expected to dispatch with scant regards, especially Belgium, it is widely viewed that their real test begins now. The term “Golden Generation” is thrown around these days like fertiliser on crops, but the fact of the matter is, this is a good a chance as any for this Belgium team to challenge, especially with France not certain if they’re playing football or eating breakfast, Spain looking shaky in all departments, especially at the back and Germany already out of the tournament.

With a front three comprising of Eden Hazard, Lukaku and Dries Mertens, this forward line can fire any top team to a title. Belgium also has other world class players in the defensive areas such as keeper Thibaut Courtois, Toby Alderweireld and Jan Vertonghen. And how can we forget Kevin de Bruyne? The only thing he is yet to create is the eighth day of the week.

Lions in Transition

England on the other hand is a team in transition. This is an obvious reality given that they’re one of the youngest teams at the tournament, second only to Nigeria. Not much was expected of the Three Lions, and a quarter-final run would be seen as a good platform to build this team. Like the core of this experienced Belgium squad, most of these English players have come up together through the age group tournaments. Unlike their U17 and U20 team behind them, they haven’t won anything.

However, they seem to have a chemistry that the recent squads before them didn’t have, and they also appear to be better coached, as a clear system of play is evident. This batch is expected to be the one that will help to make the English team contenders going into Euro 2020 and the next World Cup in 2022, while some of the U17 and U20 winning team matriculates into the senior programme.

]]>http://b90m.com/tournaments/world-cup/world-cup-watch-credential-test/feed0World Cup Watch – Low Pointhttp://b90m.com/tournaments/world-cup/world-cup-watch-low-point
http://b90m.com/tournaments/world-cup/world-cup-watch-low-point#respondWed, 27 Jun 2018 18:31:56 +0000http://b90m.com/?p=10217Defending World Cup Champions in 2010 – Italy. First round drop out. Defending World Cup Champions in 2014 – Spain. First round drop out. Defending World Cup Champions in 2018 – Germany. First round drop out. The more things change, the more they stay the same. Defending Champions do not progress to the second round of the World Cup. Even if they are German. Might be time to accept this as fact?

The Writing has been on the Wall

German team during the UEFA EURO semi final match between Germany and France at Stade Velodrome on July 7, 2016 in Marseille, France. (Photo by Foto Olimpik/NurPhoto via Getty Images)

The two managers most accused of failing their teams have been France’s Didier Deschamps and Belgium’s Roberto Martinez. This is accepted by most without thought or question but following Germany’s capitulation let’s put forth a new name. Jogi Low. Those who only cater to the EPL and do not follow either the Bundesliga or Germany will use this elimination as fuel for the “SEE LEROY SHOULD HAVE BEEN THERE!” flame but let us be clear. Germany, despite boasting the talent they possess, have been poor and those paying attention have been saying it for a while. The signs were there in 2016 at the Euros. While still a great team it was clear that they had cleared their peak and the only way to go was down. They came into the competition with the worse run of form they have had in what? Two decades? More alarming than the results was the dire nature of the performances (with Leroy Sane playing, pipe down EPL fanboys).

This Germany team has gone from fresh faced and exciting in 2010 to the best around in 2014 to stale in 2018. No one should be blamed more for failing to spot the weaknesses than Jogi Low. Unlike his counterparts in Belgium and France he is able to call upon a host of players of varying skillsets who, crucially, are of the required quality to make a positive impact on the German team.

If you stand still in football you will be passed

Manuel Neuer during the 2018 FIFA World Cup Russia group F match between Germany and Mexico at Luzhniki Stadium on June 17, 2018 in Moscow, Russia. (Photo by Mehdi Taamallah/NurPhoto via Getty Images)

In Low, Germany possess a manager who strictly believes in the idea of finding a system that best represents a chance of success. When people argued Sami Khedira wasn’t the right player to be starting in 2014, he stuck with him because Germany possessed no player who would fit the system better. When one wondered how a more talented Marco Reus or Mario Gotze couldn’t dislodge Miroslav Klose or Thomas Muller it was because the system came first and was working. Would Sane have made a difference for Germany this World Cup? The evidence suggests no because when the Man City winger has played for Germany he has been instructed to fit the system and he has shown he has no ability to do as such.

In truth all managers are like this – they adhere to a system. However where he differs is that in having found a successful winning formula he has stuck to it with such resolve that he has sacrificed any form of innovation. It cannot be understated, the writing was on the wall in 2016 and it seems even Low knew that hence why at the 2017 Confederations Cup a somewhat new looking Germany team was selected that allowed younger players a chance to show what they could do while the experienced guys took the summer off. Leon Goretzka, Julian Brandt, Timo Werner, Sebastian Rudy all left the tournament impressing and probably securing their spot in the long term thinking. All four were selected for the World Cup. However, only Werner was given significant playing time and, with teams knowing Germany’s weaknesses, they camped deep thus stifling any chance of Werner impressing. Khedira in a pivot deep? Mesut Ozil back in the midfield three? Mario Gomez and Muller still seen as options? The ‘experienced’ Germans were back, the old system was back. The weaknesses the world noticed creeping in around 2016 were back and exacerbated. Germany were there for the taking and it was Jogi Low who offered them up for sacrifice.

]]>http://b90m.com/tournaments/world-cup/world-cup-watch-low-point/feed0World Cup Watch – Romp in Eden’s Gardenhttp://b90m.com/tournaments/world-cup/world-cup-watch-romp-in-edens-garden
http://b90m.com/tournaments/world-cup/world-cup-watch-romp-in-edens-garden#respondSun, 24 Jun 2018 14:27:46 +0000http://b90m.com/?p=10228Belgium have sent a warning shot to every single team in Russia at the moment. They’re here and they are one to fear. Or are they? Two impressive performances in a row have seen Roberto Martinez’s men propelled to prohibitive favourites in the minds of many. Is it warranted? Are they as good as the hype suggests? The bottom half of the draw is going a bit differently than planned as the competition’s two most successful teams are on a Round of 16 collision course. After that, it could very well be Belgium. Let’s see where we are after two matches:

Goodbye to the Haters and the Doubters

MOSCOW, RUSSIA – JUNE 23: Romelu Lukaku of Belgium celebrates after scoring his team’s second goal during the 2018 FIFA World Cup Russia group G match between Belgium and Tunisia at Spartak Stadium on June 23, 2018 in Moscow, Russia. (Photo by Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images)

If there ever was a stage for Romelu Lukaku to stamp his class for the world to see, it was this one. Two games, four goals, and the towering Manchester United striker has put himself right in the golden boot running. In becoming the first man since Diego Maradona in 1986 to score two or more goals in consecutive World Cup matches, Lukaku has gone some way to shedding the weight of a Jose Mourinho season.

The flaws are still there. Kevin de Bruyne, himself cruising to two good, but not great, performances so far fed him with a short diagonal pass against Tunisia, only for the man reputed to have a rapist first touch to assault the ball as he tried to turn and run in one motion. Lukaku does try to do too much with the ball at times as he is a final ball striker. He always goes for the jugular, the risky pass. Then, he attempted to use one touch to set the stage for the next touch to be a shot at goal. It didn’t work. What has worked, though, is the sublime finishes that ooze class. A Lukaku in form is a danger to all. Can he do it against better opposition?

Hazardous

MOSCOW, RUSSIA – JUNE 23: Eden Hazard of Belgium celebrates scoring the goal with team mates during the 2018 FIFA World Cup Russia group G match between Belgium and Tunisia at Spartak Stadium on June 23, 2018 in Moscow, Russia. (Photo by Lukasz Laskowski/PressFocus/MB Media/Getty Images)

The brightest spark has been the imperial Eden Hazard. It’s nothing we haven’t seen before from Chelsea’s talisman. A sometimes one-man attacking show at Stamford Bridge, Eden has combined his talents of dribbling, wavy runs, deft touch, and supreme balance and strength to be the leading man in a Belgian shirt thus far.

While de Bruyne and Dries Mertens have barely left second gear, he and Lukaku are flooring it. This team allows him to shine because, unlike at Chelsea, where the opponent expects the magic to come from him and only him, there are five more to worry about going forward. He’s an early contender for Golden Ball, and he’s not the only one from the Belgian outfit.

He’s made the best of a group in which the weaker teams have come to play and conceded as a result. Take it all at face value at your own peril. They’ve been impressive but there are concerns.

That defensive balance though

MOSCOW, RUSSIA – JUNE 23: Tunisia’s defender Hamdi Nagguez (L) is marked by Belgium’s midfielder Yannick Ferreira-Carrasco during the Russia 2018 World Cup Group G football match between Belgium and Tunisia at the Spartak Stadium in Moscow on June 23, 2018. (Photo by Francisco LEONG / AFP)

Life is a give and take. For all the verve shown going forward, Belgium have looked vulnerable to any attack mounted against them. Tunisia very clearly targeted their left side, manned by Dalian Yifang winger, Yannick Ferreira Carrasco. Deployed in a left wing-back role, his propensity for going forward is evident; but this has been his downfall as he still plays the role of a winger with little care for his defensive duties.

This would have been acceptable had Thomas Meunier been a Cesar Azpilicueta type, but Meunier himself can be found bombing down the right flank to offer support to the front three as both Mertens and Hazard roam free in central areas.

It begs the question as to whether this tactic may need to be revisited against a stronger team, perhaps one that possesses pace and skill down in the wide and inside forward areas. In Raheem Sterling and Marcus Rashford, England have two live threats. Will the Belgian stars blow them away, rendering this point moot? We’d like to see, but no one can deny the trouble Wahbi Khazri, Fakhereedine Ben Youssef, and Ferjani Sassi caused whenever they targeted Carrasco. Maybe he combats that imbalance with a 4-3-3 including Mousa Dembele at the expense of Carrasco or Dedryck Boyata. The question is whether he’ll mess with a winning formula. Does it win against a rampant Neymar, Joshua Kimmich, or Sterling?

]]>http://b90m.com/tournaments/world-cup/world-cup-watch-romp-in-edens-garden/feed0World Cup Watch – Hot & Spicy Big Dealhttp://b90m.com/tournaments/world-cup/world-cup-watch-hot-spicy-big-deal
http://b90m.com/tournaments/world-cup/world-cup-watch-hot-spicy-big-deal#respondThu, 21 Jun 2018 22:58:19 +0000http://b90m.com/?p=10167Luka Modric and co arrived in Russia with the intention to set the record straight. Forget 1998. This generation of Croatian football is just as good if not better, and to date have failed to deliver. Always highly fancied, but never fulfilling what was expected. They have now made light work of a group many thought what tricky to navigate. What have we learned?

Midfield Magic

It’s been said before and it will be said again. Croatia boast a midfield selection most international managers can only dream of. If one were to suggest there was a better midfield than the trio of Modric, Ivan Rakitic and Marcelo Brozovic in Russia Croatians would have every right to feel aggrieved and slightly sorry for ignorance.

Let it not be lost on you. Croatia has a midfield that combines two integral pieces of Real Madrid and Barcelona’s machinery to deadly effect. Their woefully undermanned counterparts Argentina? They lined up with Messrs from Hebei Fortune and River Plate. And they thought they could compete! You could hear the chuckles from the Croatian fans a mile away. The gulf in class was noticeable as both Modric and Rakitic stamped their authority on the game in every which way they pleased. Modric and Rakitic helping themselves to the final two goals was just the icing on the cake. Just how far this team goes from here we shall see, but anything less than a semi final should be treated as failure. Croatia have a platform that success should be built on and success should be expected.

Don’t Cry for Me Argentina

Let us not ignore the elephant in the room. Argentina are terrible aren’t they? How this has come to pass under Jorge Sampaoli we may never know. We knew in 2016 that Argentina needed to blow up their team and start fresh. This generation of Argentina that had won back to back under 20 World Cups grew up to reach three finals in a row. Failure to grasp one will forever be a stain, but the stains now are of a different and more painful breed.

Again, we KNEW in 2016 that the dead wood needed to be cut from that team. Sampaoli, heralded for creative genius, instead of leading a revolution, stuck to a team that has reached its expiration date. How the likes of Javier Mascherano, Lucas Biglia, Marcos Rojo, Angel di Maria, Gonzalo Higuain and a few more made the flight to Russia is unknown. Given the selections, the results are no surprise to anyone who paid attention. Maybe now we will see the likes of Giovani Lo Celso, Leandro Paredes, Paolo Dybala, Geronimo Rulli, and Fabricio Bustos given the opportunity to fail. It’s just a shame they will likely have to do it without the greatest ever.

]]>http://b90m.com/tournaments/world-cup/world-cup-watch-hot-spicy-big-deal/feed0World Cup Watch – Messed Uphttp://b90m.com/tournaments/world-cup/world-cup-watch-messed-up
http://b90m.com/tournaments/world-cup/world-cup-watch-messed-up#respondWed, 20 Jun 2018 21:34:57 +0000http://b90m.com/?p=10183Argentina has drawn with Iceland. That’s no massive surprise. Although it should be. For anyone who follows Argentina, a comedy of errors and missteps was always a real possibility. Why, though? Why does a team possessing the best player in the world in the eyes of many and some of the best forwards around consistently stutter in big moments?

Sampaoli has a few screws loose

MOSCOW, RUSSIA – JUNE 16: The Argentina players protest to Referee Szymon Marciniak during the 2018 FIFA World Cup Russia group D match between Argentina and Iceland at Spartak Stadium on June 16, 2018 in Moscow, Russia. (Photo by Robbie Jay Barratt – AMA/Getty Images)

What does Angel di Maria do that justifies leaving Paolo Dybala out altogether? Nothing. Absolutely nothing. His choices were as much as catastrophe as anything we saw in the tie. Di Maria is usually a solid performer for Argentina, but Jorge Sampaoli’s inability and reluctance to properly integrate Dybala and Mauro Icardi is an indictment on the man who looks unrecognisable to the one who led Chile not so long ago.

That Ever Banega was a 54th minute substitute is an indication that either favourites are being played or Sampaoli isn’t a great judge of talent. What’s stranger is that Lucas Biglia was entrusted with getting forward from midfield. Sampaoli’s biggest challenge is striking a balance in this top heavy Argentina side. Weak at the back, as evidenced by how vulnerable and disorganised at the back they were the few times the Icelandic Vikings attacked, Sampaoli’s men are decidedly limp outside their attacking options. Willy Caballero seems capable of creating a goal out of nothing, which is sad, as he should be stopping them, and the slow backline is all over the place once threatened.

The decision to employ Javier Mascherano and Biglia in midfield said that the balance he wanted to strike was to be ultra-uncreative and solid at the back and in the middle of the park, while counting on the talent upfront to create special moments. Can his Argentina team live off moments?

Messi is trying too hard

MOSCOW, RUSSIA – JUNE 16: Hannes Halldorsson of Iceland saves the penalty kick of Lionel Messi of Argentina during the 2018 FIFA World Cup Russia group D match between Argentina and Iceland at Spartak Stadium on June 16, 2018 in Moscow, Russia. (Photo by Robbie Jay Barratt – AMA/Getty Images)

Does Lionel Messi respond to pressure? This World Cup will go a long way to answering this question. Maybe it goes all the way. At the crucial moment, Messi missed a penalty. This is his Achilles heel. As much as he is the best individual to ever lace up boots, he’s very average from the penalty spot. Under pressure against Iceland, he slumped, not by disappearing, but by appearing everywhere. How? Messi took it upon himself to take the ball and try to create magic all by himself.

This was the wrong approach. If he’s to prove his unmatched greatness, not just show himself as an individual untouchable, he has to be able to elevate his team by leading from the front and by allowing his team to flourish with him.

In this sense, you get the feeling watching them play that Portugal plays for Cristiano Ronaldo while Messi plays for Argentina. This is a three-pronged problem of: system, of Messi’s lone soldier approach under pressure, and of his teammates who surely can do better to help the man out. Ronaldo has a steely eyed looked of arrogance, determination, confidence, and swagger over a game tying free kick that you sometimes need. It isn’t that he’s undoubtedly the greatest player to ever live; it is that he believes so. In Messi’s eyes, in Argentinian colours, you see the weight of the world. Can they turn it around? They have the individual quality to. Argentina’s problem has rarely been the presence of difference makers. It is that, too often, the sum of the individual parts is less than the whole. The road to changing that begins against Croatia.